Definition

1. Verb:
   • To restrain, hinder, or prevent an action, process, or expression: To hold back or keep in check, often referring to emotions, impulses, or natural functions.
   • To slow down, block, or decrease the action or function of something: Often used in scientific contexts to describe the suppression of a chemical, biological, or physical process.
   • To prohibit or forbid by authority: An older or more formal usage meaning to officially disallow something.

Usage and Examples

• General Usage (Restraining behavior or emotion):
  • The shy child felt inhibited in large groups. (The child's natural behavior was restrained by shyness.)
  • She inhibited her anger and responded calmly. (She held back her feeling of anger.)
• Scientific/Biological Usage (Blocking a function):
  • This drug inhibits the growth of bacteria. (The drug prevents the bacteria from growing.)
  • The enzyme's activity was inhibited by the high temperature. (The high temperature decreased the enzyme's function.)
• Social/Formal Usage (Restricting by custom or rule):
  • Strict etiquette inhibited free conversation at the dinner. (Formal rules restricted natural conversation.)

Advanced Usage

• "to inhibit someone from doing something": To prevent or discourage someone from a specific action.
  • Fear of failure inhibited him from applying for the promotion.
• Inhibited (Adjective): Describing a person who is unable to act or express feelings freely.
  • He is too inhibited to dance in public.

Variants and Related Words

• Inhibition (Noun):
  • The inhibition of this reaction is crucial for the experiment. (The blocking of the reaction.)
  • She felt a sense of inhibition when speaking to authority figures. (A feeling of restraint.)
• Inhibitor (Noun): A substance or agent that causes inhibition.
  • A corrosion inhibitor was added to the metal. (A substance that slows corrosion.)
• Uninhibited (Adjective): Not restrained; free and open.
  • Her uninhibited laughter filled the room.

Synonyms

• Restrain: To hold back from action.
• Suppress: To put an end to something forcibly.
• Hinder: To create difficulties, resulting in delay or obstruction.
• Curb: To restrain or keep in check.
• Impede: To delay or block progress.

Antonyms

• Promote: To encourage or support.
• Stimulate: To encourage activity or growth.
• Facilitate: To make an action or process easier.
• Encourage: To give support, confidence, or hope.

Related Phrases and Contexts

• Inhibitory effect: The effect of slowing or stopping a process.
  • The chemical had a strong inhibitory effect on the virus.
• Social inhibition: Psychological restraint felt in social situations.
  • Alcohol can reduce social inhibition.

Verb

1. control and refrain from showing; of emotions, desires, impulses, or behavior
2. limit, block, or decrease the action or function of
   • inhibit the action of the enzyme
   • inhibit the rate of a chemical reaction
3. limit the range or extent of
   • Contact between the young was inhibited by strict social customs
4. to put down by force or authority
   • suppress a nascent uprising
   • stamp down on littering
   • conquer one's desires